TRIUMPH OF HOPE OVER DESPAIR
Triumph of hope over despair
Nineteen ninety eight is almost at an end, and for many of us it will have been, in the words of Elizabeth Windsor, Annus Horriblis. This year, more than any other, in Omagh's long history will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. The bomb in Market Street on August 15th dominated every other single piece of news for the entire year, in fact, it is was the single biggest story ever to have been covered by the Ulster Herald.
There had never before been a tragedy here on such a scale, and with 29 nine people dead and two unborn infants slain in their murdered mother's womb and hundreds wounded and maimed, Omagh became the single worst atrocity of the 'troubles'.
The Prime Minister, the Taoiseach and the American President all walked up our humble Market Street and through the scene of the carnage, and, in the saddest, most horrific of circumstances, the name of Omagh became front page news around the globe. Just this week, the last of the victims left hospital, and many face a long and difficult period of recovery, some lost limbs, some lost sight, others where disfigured, all were mentally scarred in the limited language we use to express our feelings on the subject they were the lucky ones.
Apart from the victims of the bomb, the town also grieved for Sylvia Fleming, and and Geraldine McGinn, both of whom were also murdered in our midst truly it was a year of sorrows.
For many families in Omagh it will be a lonely painful, empty Christmas. Yes, neighbours and friends have offered their support, doctors lave mended what broken bodies they can, and the Fund will try to help, but the pain in the homes where wives, daughters, sons, fathers, brothers and sisters will not return, this is the most difficult time. The events of the past few months may have shaken our faith in human nature to its foundation, but so too has it been a time when people have sought solace through their faith, and the there has never been a more important role for the churches to provide what the doctors and statesmen cannot. The message of Christmas has always been one of hope, even when mankind lunged headlong toward his own extinction in two world wars, Christmas brought a temporary cessation, perhaps a moment for thought, when individual soldiers and men of war could consider their own actions. Irrespective of what darkness we have entered, either in our individual hearts, or in our communities, there will always be a dawn. It is the promise of Christmas, that man will always have hope, and through the ages, since the birth of Christ, that message has been reaffirmed time and again. Just as the dark days of winter must pass, so too must the pain in human hearts, for in Christ there is no death. The loneliness of the present must pass and an understanding which defies human explanation will replace sorrow, it is a promise from the highest authority.
Nineteen ninety eight is almost at an end, and for many of us it will have been, in the words of Elizabeth Windsor, Annus Horriblis. This year, more than any other, in Omagh's long history will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. The bomb in Market Street on August 15th dominated every other single piece of news for the entire year, in fact, it is was the single biggest story ever to have been covered by the Ulster Herald.
There had never before been a tragedy here on such a scale, and with 29 nine people dead and two unborn infants slain in their murdered mother's womb and hundreds wounded and maimed, Omagh became the single worst atrocity of the 'troubles'.
The Prime Minister, the Taoiseach and the American President all walked up our humble Market Street and through the scene of the carnage, and, in the saddest, most horrific of circumstances, the name of Omagh became front page news around the globe. Just this week, the last of the victims left hospital, and many face a long and difficult period of recovery, some lost limbs, some lost sight, others where disfigured, all were mentally scarred in the limited language we use to express our feelings on the subject they were the lucky ones.
Apart from the victims of the bomb, the town also grieved for Sylvia Fleming, and and Geraldine McGinn, both of whom were also murdered in our midst truly it was a year of sorrows.
For many families in Omagh it will be a lonely painful, empty Christmas. Yes, neighbours and friends have offered their support, doctors lave mended what broken bodies they can, and the Fund will try to help, but the pain in the homes where wives, daughters, sons, fathers, brothers and sisters will not return, this is the most difficult time. The events of the past few months may have shaken our faith in human nature to its foundation, but so too has it been a time when people have sought solace through their faith, and the there has never been a more important role for the churches to provide what the doctors and statesmen cannot. The message of Christmas has always been one of hope, even when mankind lunged headlong toward his own extinction in two world wars, Christmas brought a temporary cessation, perhaps a moment for thought, when individual soldiers and men of war could consider their own actions. Irrespective of what darkness we have entered, either in our individual hearts, or in our communities, there will always be a dawn. It is the promise of Christmas, that man will always have hope, and through the ages, since the birth of Christ, that message has been reaffirmed time and again. Just as the dark days of winter must pass, so too must the pain in human hearts, for in Christ there is no death. The loneliness of the present must pass and an understanding which defies human explanation will replace sorrow, it is a promise from the highest authority.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1725
Published Date: 24-Dec-98
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